WO2019064427A1

WO2019064427A1 - Oil separator and air conditioner with same

Info

Publication number: WO2019064427A1
Application number: PCT/JP2017/035219
Authority: WO
Inventors: 松田　弘文; 宗希石山; 裕輔島津
Original assignee: 三菱電機株式会社
Priority date: 2017-09-28
Filing date: 2017-09-28
Publication date: 2019-04-04
Also published as: EP3690361A4; CN111108333B; US20200248941A1; JPWO2019064427A1; EP3690361B1; US11255587B2; JP6827554B2; CN111108333A; EP3690361A1; ES2904309T3

Abstract

This oil separator (5) is provided with a separation container (56). An inflow pipe (15) is attached to a side surface of the separation container (56), and an outflow pipe (17) is attached to the upper surface of the separation container (56). An oil holding section (61) is provided in the lower part of the separation container (56). An oil return pipe (19) is attached to the lower surface of the separation container (56). A liquid flow passage (57) is provided on the inner wall surface of the separation container (56). A groove (57a) is provided in the liquid flow passage (57). The groove (57a) is disposed in the direction of gravity toward the oil holding section (61). The groove (57a) is formed so that the depth (D) thereof gradually increases from the upper part toward the lower part.

Description

Oil separator and air conditioner equipped with the same

The present invention relates to an oil separator and an air conditioner provided with the same, and more particularly to an oil separator for separating oil contained in a refrigerant and an air conditioner provided with such an oil separator.

In the air conditioner, an oil separator is used in order to separate the refrigerant and the oil (refrigerator oil) discharged from the compressor from the refrigerant and return it to the compressor. In order to ensure the reliability of the compressor and to improve the performance of the refrigeration cycle, the oil separator is required to efficiently separate refrigeration oil from the refrigerant.

Conventionally, there is a cyclone type oil separator as an example of an oil separator. In this type of oil separator, it is important how to efficiently separate refrigeration oil using centrifugal force. Furthermore, in the oil separator, it is important to prevent the refrigeration oil from being efficiently separated by preventing the phenomenon that the refrigeration oil once separated is rolled up by the refrigerant and scattered again and flows together with the refrigerant. Ru.

In recent years, downsizing of the oil separator has been required. In the miniaturized oil separator, as the oil separator is miniaturized, the influence of the re-spoiling of the refrigeration oil is increased. Further, even when the flow rate of the refrigerant to be discharged is relatively large, the influence of the re-scattering of the refrigerator oil is increased. For example, Patent Document 1 proposes an oil separator that solves such a problem.

JP, 2009-174836, A

In the method of separating refrigerator oil from refrigerant by an oil separator, when oil separator is relatively small, or when the flow rate of refrigerant flowing into the oil separator is large, it is separated in the oil separator The influence of the refrigerant on the refrigeration oil increases. For this reason, the separated refrigeration oil again scatters and flows together with the refrigerant in the refrigerant pipe, and as a result, the efficiency of separating the refrigeration oil from the refrigerant is reduced.

The present invention has been made to solve such problems, and one object thereof is to suppress re-scattering of separated refrigerator oil and efficiently separate refrigerator oil from refrigerant. Another object of the present invention is to provide a separator, and to provide an air conditioner equipped with such an oil separator.

One oil separator according to the present invention is an oil separator that separates refrigeration oil contained in a refrigerant from a refrigerant, and includes a separation container, an inflow pipe, an outflow pipe, an oil reservoir, a liquid flow path, and an oil return pipe. Is equipped. The separation container constitutes a separation chamber. The refrigerant inflow pipe communicates with the separation container. The refrigerant outlet pipe communicates with the separation vessel. The oil reservoir is provided in the separation container and stores refrigeration oil. The liquid flow path portion including the groove is provided in the separation container, and guides the refrigeration oil contained in the refrigerant to the oil reservoir portion. The oil return pipe is attached to the separation container and communicates with the oil reservoir. In the liquid channel portion, the groove is formed such that the depth of the groove gradually increases from the upper portion to the lower portion.

Another oil separator according to the present invention is an oil separator that separates refrigeration oil contained in a refrigerant from a refrigerant, and includes a separation container, an inflow pipe, an outflow pipe, a swirling portion, a liquid flow path portion, and an oil reservoir portion. It has an oil return pipe. The separation container constitutes a separation chamber. The refrigerant inflow pipe communicates with the separation container. The refrigerant outlet pipe communicates with the separation vessel. The pivoting portion is provided in the separation container and includes a wing that is rotated by the flow of the refrigerant fed from the inflow pipe. The liquid flow path portion is provided in the wing and includes a groove for guiding the refrigerator oil contained in the refrigerant. The oil reservoir is provided in the separation container and stores refrigeration oil. The oil return pipe is attached to the separation container and communicates with the oil reservoir. The groove is formed on the wall surface of the wing from the rotation center side of the wing toward the outer peripheral end of the wing.

An air conditioner according to the present invention is an air conditioner provided with the above-described one oil separator or another oil separator, wherein the compressor, the oil separator, the condenser, the expansion valve, and the evaporator are refrigerants. The pipes are connected in series in this order. The refrigerant pipe includes an inflow pipe and an outflow pipe. An inflow pipe connects between the discharge side of the compressor and the oil separator. An outlet pipe is connected between the oil separator and the condenser. An oil return pipe is connected between the oil separator and the suction side of the compressor.

According to one oil separator according to the present invention, refrigeration oil contained in the refrigerant is formed such that the depth of the groove gradually increases from the portion located at the upper portion to the portion located at the lower portion Captured in the groove. As a result, it is possible to prevent re-scattering of refrigeration oil due to the refrigerant and the like, and as a result, the separation efficiency of refrigeration oil contained in the refrigerant can be increased, and the separated refrigeration oil can be returned to the compressor.

According to another oil separator according to the present invention, when refrigerant or the like flows through a blade, refrigeration oil contained in the refrigerant is captured in a groove formed in the blade. As a result, it is possible to prevent re-scattering of refrigeration oil due to the refrigerant and the like, and as a result, the separation efficiency of refrigeration oil contained in the refrigerant can be increased, and the separated refrigeration oil can be returned to the compressor.

According to the air conditioner pertaining to the present invention, by applying the above-described one oil separator or another oil separator, the separation efficiency of the refrigerator oil contained in the refrigerant can be increased, and the separated refrigerator oil can be compressed. It can be returned to the machine.

It is a figure which shows the refrigerant circuit of the air conditioner to which the oil separator which concerns on each embodiment is applied. FIG. 2 is a top view of an oil separator according to Embodiment 1; In the same embodiment, it is a side view of an oil separator. In the embodiment, it is a partial enlarged cross-sectional perspective view which shows a liquid flow path part. In the embodiment, it is a top view of an oil separator for explaining operation of an oil separator. In the same embodiment, it is a side view of the oil separator for demonstrating the operation | movement of an oil separator. FIG. 7 is a top view of an oil separator according to Embodiment 2; In the same embodiment, it is a side view of an oil separator. In the embodiment, it is a partial enlarged cross-sectional perspective view which shows a liquid flow path part. In the embodiment, it is a top view of an oil separator for explaining operation of an oil separator. In the same embodiment, it is a side view of the oil separator for demonstrating the operation | movement of an oil separator. FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view of an oil separator according to a first example of Embodiment 3; In the embodiment, it is an enlarged perspective view showing a swirling portion of an oil separator concerning the 1st example. In the embodiment, it is sectional drawing of the oil separator for demonstrating the operation | movement of the oil separator which concerns on a 1st example. FIG. 13 is an enlarged perspective view showing a pivoting part for explaining the operation of the oil separator according to the first example in the embodiment. In the same embodiment, it is an expansion perspective view showing the revolution part of the oil separator concerning the 2nd example. In the embodiment, it is an enlarged top view which shows the turning part of the oil separator which concerns on a 2nd example. FIG. 21 is an enlarged perspective view showing a pivoting part for explaining the operation of the oil separator according to a second example in the same embodiment. In the embodiment, it is a top view which shows the turning part for demonstrating the operation | movement of the oil separator which concerns on a 2nd example. In the embodiment, it is an enlarged perspective view which shows the turning part of the oil separator which concerns on a 3rd example. FIG. 21 is a first partial enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the line XXI-XXI shown in FIG. 20 in the first embodiment. FIG. 21 is a second partial enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the line XXI-XXI shown in FIG. 20 in the first embodiment. FIG. 21 is an enlarged perspective view showing a pivoting part for explaining the operation of the oil separator according to a third example in the same embodiment. FIG. 21 is a first partial enlarged cross-sectional view for illustrating the operation of the oil separator according to the third example in the embodiment. FIG. 21 is a second partial enlarged cross-sectional view for illustrating the operation of the oil separator according to the third example in the embodiment. In the same embodiment, it is an expansion perspective view showing the revolution part of the oil separator concerning the 4th example. FIG. 27 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the line XXVII-XXVII shown in FIG. 26 in the first embodiment. FIG. 27 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the line XXVIII-XXVIII shown in FIG. 26 in the first embodiment. FIG. 27 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the line XXIX-XXIX shown in FIG. 26 in the first embodiment. FIG. 21 is an enlarged perspective view showing a pivoting part for explaining the operation of the oil separator according to a fourth example in the same embodiment. FIG. 28 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 27 for describing the operation of the oil separator according to the fourth example in the embodiment. FIG. 29 is a partial enlarged cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 28 for describing the operation of the oil separator according to the fourth example in the embodiment. FIG. 30 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 29 for illustrating the operation of the oil separator according to a fourth example in the same embodiment. FIG. 10 is a top view of an oil separator according to Embodiment 4; In the same embodiment, it is a side view of an oil separator. In the embodiment, it is a top view of an oil separator for explaining operation of an oil separator. In the same embodiment, it is a side view of the oil separator for demonstrating the operation | movement of an oil separator.

First, an example of an air conditioner to which an oil separator is applied will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, in the air conditioner 1, a refrigerant circuit in which a compressor 3, an oil separator 5, a condenser 7, an expansion valve 9 and an evaporator 11 are sequentially connected by a refrigerant pipe 13 is formed. . The refrigerant compressed by the compressor 3 is discharged from the compressor 3 as a high-temperature high-pressure gas refrigerant. The discharged high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant is sent to the condenser 7 via the oil separator 5. In the condenser 7, heat exchange is performed between the inflowing refrigerant and the air fed into the condenser 7. The heat exchange condenses the high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant into a high-pressure liquid refrigerant.

The high pressure liquid refrigerant delivered from the condenser 7 is converted by the expansion valve 9 into a two-phase refrigerant of low pressure gas refrigerant and liquid refrigerant. The refrigerant in the two-phase state flows into the evaporator 11. In the evaporator 11, heat exchange is performed between the inflowing two-phase refrigerant and the air sent into the evaporator 11. By the heat exchange, the liquid refrigerant evaporates and becomes a low pressure gas refrigerant.

The low pressure gas refrigerant sent from the evaporator 11 flows into the compressor 3 and is compressed to become a high temperature and high pressure gas refrigerant. The high-temperature and high-pressure gas refrigerant is again discharged from the compressor 3 and is sent to the condenser 7 through the oil separator 5. Hereinafter, this cycle will be repeated.

In the air conditioner 1, refrigeration oil contained in the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 3 is separated from the refrigerant in the oil separator 5. The separated refrigeration oil flows through the oil return pipe 19 and is returned to the suction side of the compressor 3.

Next, the specific structure of the oil separator 5 used in the air conditioner 1 will be described in each embodiment.

Embodiment 1
The oil separator 5 according to the first embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the oil separator 5 includes a separation container 56 which forms a separation chamber 55. The separation container 56 has a substantially cylindrical shape in consideration of productivity. An inflow pipe 15 is attached to a side surface of the separation container 56 as a part of the refrigerant pipe 13. The inflow pipe 15 is attached in a direction substantially orthogonal to the tangential direction of the side surface portion of the separation container 56. The inflow pipe 15 connects the discharge side of the compressor 3 and the oil separator 5 (separation vessel 56).

An outflow pipe 17 is attached to the upper surface portion of the separation container 56 as a part of the refrigerant pipe 13. The outflow pipe 17 connects between the oil separator 5 (separation vessel 56) and the condenser 7. An oil reservoir 61 is provided at the bottom of the separation container 56. An oil return pipe 19 is attached to the lower surface of the separation container 56. The oil return pipe 19 connects the oil reservoir 61 and the suction side of the compressor 3.

As shown in FIG. 4, on the inner wall surface of the separation container 56, a liquid flow passage portion 57 which is a flow passage of refrigeration oil is provided. The liquid channel portion 57 is disposed so as to include a region facing the discharge port of the inflow pipe 15. A groove 57 a is provided in the liquid channel portion 57. Here, the groove 57 a is disposed along the direction of gravity toward the oil reservoir 61. As shown in the lower partial view of FIG. 4, the groove 57a is formed such that the depth D of the groove 57a becomes gradually deeper from the top to the bottom. That is, the groove 57a is formed to be gradually deeper from the upstream side to the downstream side of the flow of the refrigeration oil.

Next, the operation | movement which isolate | separates the refrigerator oil contained in a refrigerant | coolant by the oil separator 5 mentioned above is demonstrated. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the high temperature and high pressure refrigerant discharged from the compressor 3 flows into the oil separator 5 through the inflow pipe 15 by the operation of the air conditioner 1. The refrigerant includes the refrigerator oil of the compressor 3. The refrigerant containing the refrigeration oil is discharged from the inflow pipe 15 into the separation container 56, and the refrigeration oil contained in the refrigerant is captured by the groove 57a of the liquid flow path portion 57, and the refrigerant and the refrigeration oil are separated. . The refrigerant separated from the refrigerator oil flows through the outflow pipe 17 and is fed to the condenser 7 (see FIG. 1) as indicated by the arrows.

On the other hand, the refrigeration oil trapped in the groove 57 a flows in the groove 57 a and is fed to the oil reservoir 61 by gravity as shown by the arrow. The refrigeration oil 100 accumulated in the oil reservoir 61 flows into the oil return pipe 19. As shown in FIG. 1, the refrigerating machine oil having flowed through the oil return pipe 19 is fed to the suction side of the compressor 3. Thus, the refrigeration oil discharged together with the refrigerant is returned to the compressor 3. Hereinafter, when the air conditioner 1 is operating, this operation is repeated.

In the oil separator 5 of the air conditioner 1 described above, the groove 57 a of the liquid flow path portion 57 for capturing the refrigeration oil contained in the refrigerant is disposed along the gravity toward the oil reservoir portion 61. Moreover, the groove 57a is formed so as to be gradually deeper from the top to the bottom of the groove 57a.

Therefore, the contact area between the refrigerator oil and the groove 57a increases as the groove 57a moves from the top to the bottom. This means that the interface energy represented by the product of the contact area and the surface tension gradually increases in the negative direction as going from the top to the bottom of the groove 57a. That is, it means that interface energy becomes low.

As a result, the refrigeration oil flows positively through the groove 57 a toward the lower part of the groove 57 a where the interface energy is lower along with the action of gravity, and is led to the oil reservoir 61. The refrigeration oil can be positively flowed through the groove 57a, so that the refrigeration oil can be prevented from staying in the groove 57a, and the refrigeration oil can be prevented from re-scattering by the refrigerant discharged from the inflow pipe 15. . As a result, the separation efficiency of the refrigeration oil contained in the refrigerant can be increased, and the separated refrigeration oil can be returned to the compressor.

The position of the discharge port of the inflow pipe 15 and the start position of the groove 57a in the liquid flow passage portion 57 are desirably the same height in order to reliably capture the refrigeration oil in the groove 57a. Further, as a formation range of the liquid flow path portion 57, at least a circumferential portion of a length corresponding to the radius of the inflow pipe 15 is formed on the side wall surface of the separation container 56 facing the discharge port of the inflow pipe 15. Just do it. The liquid flow passage portion 57 may be formed over the entire circumference of the inner wall surface of the separation container 56 in order to reliably suppress the re-scattering of the refrigeration oil.

Furthermore, it is desirable that the groove 57a formed in the liquid flow path portion 57 be formed in the direction of gravity in order to efficiently guide the refrigeration oil captured in the groove 57a to the oil reservoir 61, although the refrigerant is preferably By spraying, the refrigeration oil may be slightly inclined from the direction of gravity to such an extent that re-scattering does not occur. Further, in order to efficiently feed refrigeration oil to the oil return pipe 19, the oil return pipe 19 may be disposed immediately below the liquid flow path portion 57.

Second Embodiment
The oil separator 5 according to the second embodiment will be described. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the oil separator 5 is provided with a substantially cylindrical separating container 56 forming a separating chamber 55. An inflow pipe 15 is attached to a side surface of the separation container 56 as a part of the refrigerant pipe 13. The inflow pipe 15 is attached substantially along the tangential direction of the side surface portion of the separation container 56.

As shown in FIG. 9, a liquid channel portion 57 is provided on the inner wall surface of the separation container 56. In the liquid flow path portion 57, a groove 57a extending spirally toward the oil reservoir portion 61 is formed along the inner wall surface of the separation container 56. The spiral groove 57a is formed such that the depth D of the groove 57a is gradually deepened from the top to the bottom. That is, the spiral groove 57a is formed so as to gradually deepen from the upstream side to the downstream side of the flow of the refrigeration oil.

The rest of the configuration is the same as the configuration of separation container 56 shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 and the like, so the same reference numerals are given to the same members, and the description will not be repeated unless necessary. .

Next, the operation | movement which isolate | separates the refrigerator oil contained in a refrigerant | coolant by the oil separator 5 mentioned above is demonstrated. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the high temperature / high pressure refrigerant discharged from the compressor 3 flows into the oil separator 5 through the inflow pipe 15 by the operation of the air conditioner 1. At this time, since the inflow pipe 15 is attached substantially along the tangential direction of the side surface of the separation container 56, the refrigerant containing the refrigeration oil is subjected to centrifugal force and is along the inner wall surface of the separation container 56. While flowing, refrigeration oil contained in the refrigerant is captured by the groove 57a of the liquid flow path portion 57, and the refrigerant and the refrigeration oil are separated. The refrigerant separated from the refrigerator oil flows through the outflow pipe 17 and is fed to the condenser 7 (see FIG. 1) as indicated by the arrows.

On the other hand, as indicated by the arrows, the refrigerating machine oil captured in the groove 57 a flows toward the oil reservoir 61 through the groove 57 a extending in a pilar shape, in response to the flow of the refrigerant discharged from the inflow pipe 15. The refrigeration oil 100 accumulated in the oil reservoir 61 flows into the oil return pipe 19. As shown in FIG. 1, the refrigerating machine oil having flowed through the oil return pipe 19 is fed to the suction side of the compressor 3. Thus, the refrigeration oil discharged together with the refrigerant is returned to the compressor 3. Hereinafter, when the air conditioner 1 is operating, this operation is repeated.

In the oil separator 5 of the air conditioner 1 described above, the inflow pipe 15 is attached substantially along the tangential direction of the side portion of the separation container 56. In addition, the groove 57a is formed in a spiral shape along the flow of the refrigerant or the like which is going to flow along the inner wall surface of the separation container 56.

For this reason, a centrifugal force acts on the refrigerant including the refrigerator oil flowing along the inner wall surface of the separation container 56, and in particular, the refrigerator oil is easily captured by the groove 57 a of the liquid channel portion 57. Further, the flow of the refrigerant or the like discharged from the inflow pipe 15 acts on the flow of the refrigeration oil captured in the groove 57a so as to promote the flow of the refrigeration oil.

Furthermore, by forming the groove 57a so that the depth of the groove 57a gradually increases from the top to the bottom of the groove 57a, as described above, the refrigerator oil has a groove 57a in which the interface energy is lower. The lower portion of the groove 57a tends to flow positively.

As a result, the refrigeration oil trapped in the groove 57a does not stay in the upper part of the groove 57a, and is not redispersed by the refrigerant or the like fed from the inflow pipe 15, and is in a pilar shape toward the lower oil reservoir 61 Flow through the groove 57a extending to the As a result, the separation efficiency of the refrigeration oil contained in the refrigerant can be increased, and the separated refrigeration oil can be reliably returned to the compressor 3.

Third Embodiment
The oil separator 5 according to the third embodiment will be described.

(First example)
First, the first example will be described. As shown in FIG. 12, the oil separator 5 is provided with a separation container 56 forming a separation chamber 55. A pivoting portion 59 is provided at the top of the separation container 56. The inflow pipe 15 is attached to the turning portion 59 as a part of the refrigerant pipe 13. At the lower part of the separation container 56, an oil reservoir 61 is provided. An oil return pipe 19 is attached to the oil reservoir 61.

Next, the turning portion 59 will be described. As shown in FIG. 13, the turning portion 59 includes a wing 63 which is rotated by the flow of a refrigerant or the like. On the wing wall surface 65 of the wing 63, a liquid channel portion 57 is provided. A groove 57 a is formed in the liquid channel portion 57. The groove 57 a is formed along the flow generated in the wing from the rotation center portion of the wing 63 toward the outer peripheral end.

Next, the operation | movement which isolate | separates the refrigerator oil contained in a refrigerant | coolant by the oil separator 5 mentioned above is demonstrated. As shown in FIG. 14, the high temperature and high pressure refrigerant discharged from the compressor 3 flows into the oil separator 5 through the inflow pipe 15 by the operation of the air conditioner 1. At this time, as shown in FIG. 15, the wing 63 of the turning portion 59 is rotated by the flow of the refrigerant indicated by the arrow.

When passing through the swirling portion 59, the refrigerating machine oil 100 contained in the refrigerant collides with the blade wall surface 65 of the wing 63, and is trapped in the groove 57a formed along the flow generated in the wing 63, Refrigerant oil is separated. The refrigerant separated from the refrigerator oil flows through the outflow pipe 17 and is fed to the condenser 7 (see FIG. 1) as indicated by the arrows.

On the other hand, the refrigeration oil 100 captured in the groove 57 a flows in the groove 57 a by centrifugal force and gravity, and reaches the outer peripheral end of the wing 63. The refrigeration oil that has reached the outer peripheral end of the wing 63 collides with the inner wall surface of the separation container 56 by centrifugal force, and flows toward the oil reservoir 61 on the inner wall surface.

The refrigeration oil 100 accumulated in the oil reservoir 61 flows into the oil return pipe 19. As shown in FIG. 1, the refrigerating machine oil having flowed through the oil return pipe 19 is fed to the suction side of the compressor 3. Thus, the refrigeration oil discharged together with the refrigerant is returned to the compressor 3. Hereinafter, when the air conditioner 1 is operating, this operation is repeated.

In the oil separator 5 of the air conditioner 1 described above, a swirling portion 59 is provided, and in the swirling portion 59, a wing 63 that is rotated by the flow of a refrigerant or the like is disposed. A groove 57 a is formed on the wing wall surface 65 of the wing 63 along the flow generated in the wing 63. Therefore, when the refrigerant or the like flows through the blade wall surface 65 of the blade 63, refrigeration oil contained in the refrigerant is easily captured by the groove 57a. The refrigeration oil trapped in the groove 57a flows toward the outer peripheral end of the wing 63 without staying in the portion of the groove 57a located on the rotation center side of the wing 63 by centrifugal force and gravity, and then, the separation vessel 56 The oil collides with the inner wall surface of the oil and flows into the oil reservoir 61.

As a result, the refrigerant oil is prevented from re-scattering and flowing into the outflow pipe 17 by the refrigerant and the like fed from the inflow pipe 15, and the refrigerant oil can be reliably guided to the oil reservoir 61. As a result, the separation efficiency of the refrigeration oil contained in the refrigerant can be increased, and the separated refrigeration oil can be reliably returned to the compressor 3.

(Second example)
Next, a second example will be described. As shown in FIG. 16 and FIG. 17, the turning portion 59 includes a wing 63 which is rotated by the flow of a refrigerant or the like. On the wing wall surface 65 of the wing 63, a liquid channel portion 57 is provided. A groove 57 a is formed in the liquid flow path portion 57 from the rotation center of the wing 63 toward the outer peripheral end. In addition, about the structure of those other than this, it is the same as that of the turning part 59 which concerns on a 1st example.

Next, the operation | movement which isolate | separates the refrigerator oil contained in a refrigerant | coolant by the oil separator 5 mentioned above is demonstrated. By the operation of the air conditioner 1, the high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant discharged from the compressor 3 flows into the oil separator 5 through the inflow pipe 15 (see FIG. 14). As shown in FIG. 18, in the oil separator 5, the wing 63 of the turning portion 59 is rotated by the flow of the refrigerant or the like indicated by the arrow.

When passing through the swirling portion 59, refrigeration oil contained in the refrigerant collides with the wing wall surface 65 of the wing 63. In the refrigeration oil that collides with the wing 63, the centrifugal force that acts on the refrigeration oil that collides with the rotation center of the wing 63 and the peripheral portion thereof is smaller than the centrifugal force that acts on the refrigeration oil that collides with the outer peripheral portion of the wing 63 . For this reason, as shown in FIG. 19, the refrigeration oil 100 that has collided with the rotation center of the wing 63 and the peripheral portion thereof tends to be easily retained on the wing wall surface 65.

In the oil separator 5 described above, the groove 57 a is formed on the wing wall surface 65 along the flow generated in the wing 63 from the rotation center of the wing 63 toward the outer peripheral portion. For this reason, the refrigeration oil 100 which collides with the rotation center of the wing and its peripheral portion, which has a relatively small centrifugal force acting, is captured by the groove 57a and does not stay at the rotation center of the wing wall 65 and its peripheral portion , Flows toward the outer peripheral end of the wing 63 through the groove 57a.

The refrigerating machine oil that has reached the outer peripheral end of the wing 63 collides with the inner wall surface of the separation container 56 by centrifugal force or the like, and flows toward the oil reservoir 61 on the inner wall surface. The refrigeration oil 100 accumulated in the oil reservoir 61 flows through the oil return pipe 19 and is fed to the suction side of the compressor 3. Thus, the refrigeration oil discharged together with the refrigerant is returned to the compressor 3 (see FIG. 1). Hereinafter, when the air conditioner 1 is operating, this operation is repeated.

In the oil separator 5 of the air conditioner 1 described above, the groove 57 a is formed on the blade wall surface 65 along the flow generated in the blade 63 from the rotation center of the blade 63 toward the outer peripheral end. For this reason, the refrigeration oil 100 which collides with the rotation center of the wing | blade 63 and its peripheral part with relatively small acting centrifugal force is capture | acquired by the groove | channel 57a. The trapped refrigerating machine oil flows toward the outer peripheral end of the wing 63 by centrifugal force and gravity without staying at the rotation center of the wing wall 65 and its peripheral portion, and then collides with the inner wall surface of the separation vessel 56 Will flow into the oil reservoir 61.

(Third example)
Next, a third example will be described. As shown in FIG. 20, the turning portion 59 includes a wing 63 which is rotated by the flow of a refrigerant or the like. On the wing wall surface 65 of the wing 63, a liquid channel portion 57 is provided. In the liquid flow path portion 57, a plurality of grooves 57a are formed from the rotation center of the wing 63 toward the outer peripheral end.

For example, one groove 57a and another groove 57a are separated by a distance L. The cross-sectional shape of the groove 57a may be, for example, a rectangular shape having a width W and a depth D, as shown in FIG. For example, as shown in FIG. 22, it may be V-shaped. The other configuration is the same as that of the swing portion 59 according to the second example. In addition, as a cross-sectional shape of the groove | channel 57a, it is applicable also to the oil separator 5 which concerns on other embodiment.

Next, the operation of separating the refrigeration oil contained in the refrigerant by the oil separator 5 described above is substantially the same as that of the oil separator 5 according to the second example. As shown in FIG. 23, in the oil separator 5, the wing 63 of the swirling portion 59 is rotated by the flow of the refrigerant or the like indicated by the arrow. The refrigeration oil 100 which collides with the rotation center of the wing and its peripheral portion where the acting centrifugal force is relatively small is captured in the groove 57a. As shown in FIG. 24 or 25, the trapped refrigeration oil 100 flows in the groove 57 a toward the outer peripheral end of the wing 63 without remaining in the portion on the rotation center side of the wing wall surface 65.

The refrigerating machine oil that has reached the outer peripheral end of the wing 63 collides with the inner wall surface of the separation container 56 by centrifugal force etc. and flows into the oil reservoir 61 and then flows through the oil return pipe 19 and is fed to the suction side of the compressor 3 . Thus, the refrigeration oil discharged together with the refrigerant is returned to the compressor 3 (see FIG. 1). Hereinafter, when the air conditioner 1 is operating, this operation is repeated.

In the oil separator 5 of the air conditioner 1 described above, the groove 57 a is formed on the blade wall surface 65 along the flow generated in the blade 63 from the rotation center of the blade 63 toward the outer peripheral end. For this reason, the refrigeration oil 100 which collides with the rotation center of the wing | blade 63 and its peripheral part with relatively small acting centrifugal force is capture | acquired by the groove | channel 57a.

In addition, by forming a plurality of such grooves 57a, the area of the refrigerator oil exposed to the refrigerant fed from the inflow pipe 15 can be reduced on the blade wall surface 65. The trapped refrigerating machine oil flows toward the outer peripheral end of the wing 63 by centrifugal force and gravity without staying on the rotation center side of the wing wall 65, and then collides with the inner wall surface of the separation vessel 56. , And flows into the oil reservoir 61.

(4th example)
Next, the fourth example will be described. As shown in FIG. 26, the turning portion 59 includes a wing 63 which is rotated by the flow of a refrigerant or the like. On the wing wall surface 65 of the wing 63, a liquid channel portion 57 is provided. A groove 57 a is formed in the liquid flow path portion 57 from the rotation center of the wing 63 toward the outer peripheral end. As shown in FIG. 27, FIG. 28 and FIG. 29, the groove 57a is formed such that its depth gradually increases from the rotation center portion toward the outer peripheral end. The other configuration is the same as that of the swing portion 59 according to the second example.

Next, the operation of separating the refrigeration oil contained in the refrigerant by the oil separator 5 described above is substantially the same as that of the oil separator 5 according to the second example. As shown in FIG. 30, in the oil separator 5, the wing 63 of the swirling portion 59 is rotated by the flow of the refrigerant or the like indicated by the arrow. The refrigeration oil which collides with the rotation center of the wing and its peripheral portion, which has a relatively small centrifugal force acting, is trapped in the groove 57a. As shown in FIGS. 31, 32 and 33, the trapped refrigerating machine oil flows in the groove 57a toward the outer peripheral end of the wing 63 without remaining in the portion on the rotation center side of the wing wall surface 65.

In addition, the groove 57a is formed such that the depth thereof gradually increases from the rotation center toward the outer peripheral end. For this reason, the refrigeration oil tends to flow positively through the groove 57a toward the groove 57a at the outer peripheral end of the blade 63 where the interface energy is lower. Furthermore, the refrigerating machine oil flows toward the outer peripheral end of the wing 63 by centrifugal force and gravity without staying in the portion on the rotation center side of the wing wall surface 65 and then collides with the inner wall surface of the separation container 56 It will flow into the oil reservoir 61.

Fourth Embodiment
The oil separator 5 according to the fourth embodiment will be described. As shown in FIGS. 34 and 35, the oil separator 5 is provided with a substantially cylindrical separation container 56 forming a separation chamber 55. An inflow pipe 15 is attached to a side surface of the separation container 56 as a part of the refrigerant pipe 13. The inflow pipe 15 is attached substantially along the tangential direction of the side surface portion of the separation container 56.

As the inflow pipe 15, for example, an L-shaped pipe bent in an L-shape is used. A liquid channel portion 58 is provided at a portion of the inner wall surface of the inflow pipe 15 located on the outer peripheral side among the inner wall surfaces. A groove 58 a is formed in the liquid flow path 58 along the direction in which the inflow pipe 15 extends. The remaining structure is similar to that of oil separator 5 shown in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9. Therefore, the same members are denoted by the same reference characters, and the description thereof will not be repeated unless necessary. To be.

Next, the operation | movement which isolate | separates the refrigerator oil contained in a refrigerant | coolant by the oil separator 5 mentioned above is demonstrated. As shown in FIGS. 36 and 37, the high temperature / high pressure refrigerant discharged from the compressor 3 flows into the oil separator 5 through the inflow pipe 15 by the operation of the air conditioner 1. At this time, first, in the inflow tube 15 to which the L-shaped tube is applied, the liquid flow passage portion 58 is provided in the portion of the inner wall surface located on the outer peripheral side. A groove 58 a is formed in the liquid flow path 58 along the direction in which the inflow pipe 15 extends. Therefore, the refrigeration oil contained in the refrigerant is easily captured in the groove 58 a by the centrifugal force acting when flowing through the L-shaped inflow pipe 15 and is led to the discharge port of the inflow pipe 15.

Further, the inflow pipe 15 is attached to the separation container 56 such that the side where the groove 58 a is formed is substantially along the tangential direction of the side surface of the separation container 56. Furthermore, in the inner wall surface of the separation container 56, a groove 57a extending in a spiral shape toward the oil reservoir 61 is formed. Therefore, the refrigeration oil discharged from the inflow pipe 15 is easily captured by the groove 57 a of the liquid flow path portion 57.

The refrigerating machine oil captured in the groove 57 a receives the flow of the refrigerant and the like discharged from the inflow pipe 15, flows through the groove 57 a extending in a spiral shape, and is led to the oil reservoir 61. The refrigeration oil 100 accumulated in the oil reservoir 61 is fed to the suction side of the compressor 3 through the oil return pipe 19. Thus, the refrigeration oil discharged together with the refrigerant is returned to the compressor 3. Hereinafter, when the air conditioner 1 is operating, this operation is repeated.

In the oil separator 5 of the air conditioner 1 described above, the refrigeration oil contained in the refrigerant is easily captured in the groove 58 a by the centrifugal force acting when flowing through the L-shaped inflow pipe 15. It is led to the discharge port. Thereby, the variation in the amount of refrigeration oil staying in the inflow tube 15 is suppressed, and the thickness of the refrigeration oil formed on the inner wall surface of the inflow tube 15 becomes thin, and the flow velocity of the refrigerant decreases. The refrigerant flowing through the inflow pipe 15 can suppress re-scattering of the refrigerator oil.

Further, the inflow pipe 15 is attached to the separation container 56 such that the side where the groove 58 a is formed is substantially along the tangential direction of the side surface of the separation container 56. As a result, the refrigerating machine oil captured in the groove 58 a is easily captured in the groove 57 a of the liquid channel portion 57 and is led to the oil reservoir 61. As a result of these, the refrigeration oil is prevented from staying in both the inflow pipe 15 and the separation container 5, and re-scattering of the refrigeration oil can be further effectively suppressed.

In the oil separator 5 described above, the L-shaped inflow pipe 15 is applied as the inflow pipe 15. The inflow pipe 15 is not limited to the L-shape, and a U-shaped pipe bent in a U-shape, for example, may be applied as needed.

In the oil separator 5 described above, the case where the L-shaped inflow pipe 15 is applied to the oil separator 5 described in the second embodiment has been described. As the oil separator 5, in addition to this, for example, the L-shaped or U-shaped inflow pipe 15 may be applied to the oil separator 5 (see FIGS. 12 and 13) described in the third embodiment. Good.

In this case, the refrigeration oil trapped in the groove 58a formed in the inner wall surface of the inflow tube 15 is discharged from the discharge port of the inflow tube 15, whereby the refrigeration oil is mainly the outer peripheral portion of the rotating wing 63 And are captured in the groove 57a. Therefore, compared to the oil separator 5 described in the third embodiment, the amount of refrigeration oil captured in the groove 57a due to collision with the rotation center side portion of the wing 63 is reduced.

A relatively large centrifugal force acts on the refrigeration oil 100 which collides with the outer peripheral portion of the wing 63 and is captured in the groove 57a, and flows through the groove 57a. The refrigeration oil having flowed through the groove 57 a collides with the inner wall surface of the separation container 56 and is fed to the oil reservoir 61. Thus, the refrigeration oil trapped in the groove 57a flows through the groove 57a without staying in the groove 57a, and the refrigerant oil and the like sent from the inflow pipe 15 effectively prevent the refrigeration oil from re-scattering. it can.

In addition, about the oil separator demonstrated in each embodiment, it is possible to combine variously as needed.

The embodiment disclosed this time is an example and is not limited thereto. The present invention is not the scope described above, is shown by the claims, and is intended to include all modifications in the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

The present invention is effectively utilized in an air conditioner provided with an oil separator.

Reference Signs List 1 air conditioner, 3 compressor, 5 oil separator, 7 condenser, 9 expansion valve, 11 evaporator, 13 refrigerant piping, 15 inflow pipe, 17 outflow pipe, 19 oil return pipe, 55 separation chamber, 56 separation container, 57, 58 Liquid flow channel part, 59 swirling part, 61 oil reservoir, 63 wings, 65 wing wall, 100 refrigeration oil.

Claims

An oil separator for separating refrigeration oil contained in a refrigerant from the refrigerant, the oil separator comprising:
A separation vessel forming a separation chamber,
An inlet pipe of the refrigerant communicating with the separation container;
An outlet pipe of the refrigerant communicating with the separation container;
An oil reservoir provided in the separation container and storing the refrigeration oil;
A liquid channel portion including a groove, provided in the separation container, for guiding the refrigeration oil contained in the refrigerant to the oil reservoir portion;
An oil return pipe attached to the separation container and in fluid communication with the oil reservoir;
In the liquid flow path portion, the groove is formed so that the depth of the groove becomes gradually deeper from the upper portion to the lower portion.
The liquid channel portion is disposed on an inner wall surface of the separation container.
The oil separator according to claim 1, wherein the groove is disposed along the direction of gravity toward the oil reservoir.
The liquid channel portion is disposed on an inner wall surface of the separation container.
The oil separator according to claim 1, wherein the groove is disposed spirally along the inner wall surface toward the oil reservoir.
The inflow tube includes a bent portion,
The oil separator according to claim 1, wherein another liquid channel portion including another groove is formed on an inner wall surface on an outer peripheral side of the bent portion.
The oil separator according to claim 4, wherein the inflow pipe includes any of an L-shaped pipe and a U-shaped pipe.
The oil separator according to claim 1, wherein a cross-sectional shape of the groove includes one of a V shape and a rectangular shape.
An oil separator for separating refrigeration oil contained in a refrigerant from the refrigerant, the oil separator comprising:
A separation vessel forming a separation chamber,
An inlet pipe of the refrigerant communicating with the separation container;
An outlet pipe of the refrigerant communicating with the separation container;
A pivoting portion provided in the separation container and including a wing that is rotated by the flow of the refrigerant fed from the inflow pipe;
A liquid channel portion provided on the wing and including a groove for guiding the refrigeration oil contained in the refrigerant;
An oil reservoir provided in the separation container and storing the refrigeration oil;
An oil return pipe attached to the separation container and in fluid communication with the oil reservoir;
An oil separator, wherein the groove is formed on a wall surface of the wing from a rotation center side of the wing toward an outer peripheral end of the wing.
The oil separator according to claim 7, wherein a plurality of the grooves are formed at intervals on the wall surface.
The oil separator according to claim 7, wherein the groove is formed so as to be gradually deeper from the rotation center side of the wing toward the outer peripheral end of the wing.
The inflow tube includes a bent portion,
The oil separator according to claim 7, wherein another liquid channel portion including another groove is formed on the inner wall surface on the outer peripheral side of the bent portion.
The oil separator according to claim 10, wherein the inflow pipe includes one of an L-shaped pipe and a U-shaped pipe.
The oil separator according to claim 7, wherein a cross-sectional shape of the groove includes one of a V shape and a rectangular shape.
An air conditioner provided with the oil separator according to any one of claims 1 to 12, comprising:
A compressor, the oil separator, a condenser, an expansion valve and an evaporator are serially connected in this order by a refrigerant pipe;
The refrigerant pipe includes the inflow pipe and the outflow pipe.
The inflow pipe connects between the discharge side of the compressor and the oil separator;
The outflow pipe connects between the oil separator and the condenser;
An air conditioner, wherein the oil return pipe connects between the oil separator and the suction side of the compressor.